Britain is planning to invest over £30m in the Lagos public transport system as part of its contribution in the state’s mega city project.

According to a report in the Guardian of United Kingdom, over the next few years Britain will invest more than £30m increasing the number of bus routes, bringing in bigger buses and helping to build two new train lines to go through some of the most densely populated areas of Lagos.

Lagos has a population of 16 million but government expects this to grow to over 25m in the next 20 years, leaving the city authorities unable to provide clean water and electricity, or to keep pace with the growth of slums. Unless investments are urgently made in the infrastructure, says the UK‘s Department for International Development, the situation will become critical. It now plans to invest in improving slum areas in other African cities.

The switch to investing in the urban environment rather than rural areas marks a significant shift in approach to combating poverty. Until very recently most aid has been directed at rural areas to try and stem the flow of people to cities and boost agriculture. But there is a new understanding that hunger in large cities and poverty is now as bad in cities as in rural areas.

”Investing in urban areas is a different set of challenges,” said international development minister Gareth Thomas. ”We have watched the rise of the mega-city, especially in Africa. Places like Addis Ababa, Cairo and Johannesburg will all see massive expansion over the next 20-30 years. Unless we act now people will only live in slums.

”People find it difficult to access work outside their own impoverished areas due to lack of transport and potential industry around the slums is hampered by unreliable electricity sources,” he said.



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100401404726

you KNOW ppl will complain on this site
i just saw ppl complaining because the FG put buses in nigerian colleges, a set of places where most students don't have cars.

That is a good move, and if properly managed, they will make that money back before long.

Ikengawo:

you KNOW ppl will complain on this site
i just saw ppl complaining because the FG put buses in nigerian colleges, a set of places where most students don't have cars.

The govt of Lagos has fixed the roads, and have at least done few things.
Now this development by the Britain will help to move goods and services and not just the student that has no light to read and all that crap.

Until Power is resolved, i dont see this happening!

It's easier for the British government to say it!

and besides, looking at what is involved, i think 30 million pounds is a joke!

violent:

Until Power is resolved, i dont see this happening!

It's easier for the British government to say it!

and besides, looking at what is involved, i think 30 million pounds is a joke!

They not the only one to fund it, they are just investing into it as well.

30 millions ponds a joke lmao dnt tink u realise wot u jus daid

The 30 million pounds is an investment, not the bulk amount necessary for completion of the whole project.

The sum of approximately N7.5 billion for a stake in the rail project, hmmm, !

[size=20pt]Y[b]et, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is pocketing N9 billion of Lagos State Revenue per month through Alpha Beta Consulting, his tax "consultancy" firm which "collects" tax and revenue for Lagos State. This sum represents 50% of the N18 billion Lagos State is now reportedly making per month.[/b][/size]

felele:

The sum of approximately N7.5 billion for a stake in the rail project, hmmm, !

[size=20pt]Y[b]et, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is pocketing N9 billion of Lagos State Revenue per month through Alpha Beta Consulting, his tax "consultancy" firm which "collects" tax and revenue for Lagos State. This sum represents 50% of the N18 billion Lagos State is now reportedly making per month.[/b][/size]

But seriously, Do you think a TAX agent will pocket 50% of a state revenue?

felele:

The sum of approximately N7.5 billion for a stake in the rail project, hmmm, !

[size=20pt]Y[b]et, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is pocketing N9 billion of Lagos State Revenue per month through Alpha Beta Consulting, his tax "consultancy" firm which "collects" tax and revenue for Lagos State. This sum represents 50% of the N18 billion Lagos State is now reportedly making per month.[/b][/size]

But seriously how useless is the press in Nigeria ? Why can't any one do any investive piece on this Alpha consultancy group and the deal they have with the the LasG ? If Fash has really signed the FOI it shouldn't be too difficult.

edoyad:

But seriously how useless is the press in Nigeria ? Why can't any one do any investive piece on this Alpha consultancy group and the deal they have with the the LasG ? If Fash has really signed the FOI it shouldn't be too difficult.

Has he?

Kobojunkie:

Has he?

Yes, i'm sure of it. I remember the newscaster's voice reading out that BRf had signed the Freedom of Information bill.

Did it happen back in January? Or When?

Kobojunkie:

Did it happen back in January? Or When?

Honestly i don't recall or do you have info to the contrary ?

edoyad:

Honestly i don't recall or do you have info to the contrary ?

Nope. I heard it would be done back in January but have since not heard anything else of it. Wasn't sure if it had been signed or not.

Bill Signings

Mar 1, 2010 - Fashola Signs 2010 Budget, House Of Assembly Service Commission Laws

Sep 14, 2009 - Fashola Signs Appropriation Amendment Law 2009

Jul 27, 2009 - Magistrates Gets Higher Status, To Sit On Saturdays

Jul 13, 2009 - Fashola Signs State Technical, Vocational Institutions Board, Boundary Committee Bills

Jun 22, 2009 - Fashola Signs Law To Impose 5% Tax On Goods, Services In Hotels, Event Centres

May 18, 2009 - Fashola Signs Lagos Court Of Arbitration Law, Others

May 4, 2009 - Fashola Signs Law Against Illegal Construction Of Buildings In Lagos

Mar 16, 2009 - Fashola Signs Wharf Landing Bill Charges Into Law, Exempt Foreign, Govt Agencies

Feb 2, 2009 - Illegal Dredging Or Sandfilling To Attract 2-Year Jail Term, Or N2M Fine In Lagos

Jan 5, 2009 - Budget 2009 Will Sustain The Great Leap In Lagos - Fashola

Aug 19, 2008 - Lagos To Register With Security And Exchange Commission (SEC) For Issuance Of N275B Bond

Jul 21, 2008 - Fashola Signs Laws On Lotteries, Land, 2 Others

Jun 2, 2008 - Fashola Signs Bills On Local Government Elections, Others

May 12, 2008 - Lagos Bans Street Parties

Feb 18, 2008 - Lagos to Convene Special Retreat to Ratify All Key Projects

Feb 5, 2008 - Fashola Signs Micro-Finance Institution Law, Blasts Critics

Jan 28, 2007 - The Signing Into Law of The 2008 Budget Bill

Jan 28, 2008 - Fashola Signs 2008 Appropriation Bill Into Law

Jan 9, 2008 - It's Zero Tolerance For Traffic Indiscipline Here, Says Fashola

http://www.tundefashola.com/issues/bills.html

Seems it has not been signed into law yet. . . . unless it is on some other site